Our Vision:
Helping People See God and Participate in His Redemptive Story
Our Guiding Value:
It is our role as a church to come alongside those in our community and show them the hope found in Jesus.
Our Mission:
- Loving God
- Loving Others
- Loving Truth
- Loving Culture
- Loving Sacrifice
- Peoples Church is led by Lead Pastor Dale Oquist, who has served in that role since 2010. Pastor Dale grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and graduated with a degree in vocational ministry from North Central University in Minneapolis. He later earned a master’s degree in missional leadership from Northwest University, where he formerly served as adjunct faculty, and he serves on the board of trustees for Vanguard University. He is known for teaching the Bible in a fresh and practical way that engages those new to faith and seasoned believers alike. Pastor Dale and his wife, Joni, who serves as our Women’s Ministry Pastor, have been married since 1986 and have three married children and four grandchildren.
- Peoples Church is a pastor-led church with a supporting board, and our culture gives leaders real ownership of their areas. You will be handed genuine authority, staff, budget, an office, and the freedom to lead with a wide berth, in a place where vision and philosophy are genuinely respected. Our staff are self-starters who set their own goals, take initiative, and move toward them, supported by leadership that trusts them to lead. Our communication culture is direct and honest, and the people who thrive here are competent, steady, and ready to run. This is a family-oriented church where staff and members alike will bring you in and make you part of the community, and where leaders who serve well are given more and rewarded well.
Peoples Church is a non-denominational church. Pastor Dale is affiliated with the Assemblies of God, and other pastors on staff come from a variety of backgrounds. We hold firmly to historic Christian orthodoxy: the inspired and authoritative Word of God, salvation through Jesus alone, and the core truths of the virgin birth, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. We believe in the present work of the Holy Spirit, while holding our distinctives with humility rather than as hills to die on. Our theological hallways are wide. We are centered on the gospel and generous on the secondary debates, and we are home to staff and members from a range of church backgrounds. Women serve in ministry at Peoples Church, including as pastors on our staff.
- Provide overall pastoral and strategic leadership for our Student Ministry, serving junior high and high school students.
- Lead and develop the teams that run our junior high, high school, and campus ministries, including investing in the relationship with our volunteer Junior High Pastor and our Associate Student Ministry Leader.
- Design and lead weekly gatherings, including teaching, worship, and discipleship environments for students.
- Be an evangelistic, present voice on local campuses, engaging students in their extracurricular activities and deepening partnerships like our work with FCA and local sports teams.
- Lead our annual student outreach events and partner with area youth pastors on shared efforts.
- Coordinate with our Missions Pastor on student mission trips, reflecting how central missions is to who we are.
- Steward the Student Ministry’s staff, volunteer base, building, and budget with care and intentionality.
- Shepherd a diverse student body, including many students in difficult circumstances, helping them know God and take real steps in their faith.
- A bachelor’s degree, ideally in biblical studies or a related field.
- Two to five years of student ministry experience preferred, ideally as a lead student pastor or strong second chair.
- Has led a sizable youth group.
- A self-starter who sets their own goals and a team player willing to work within the wide hallways of our leadership culture.
- An excellent communicator, both in person and electronically.
- Comfortable hitting the ground running and able to stabilize and grow an established ministry.
- A background in evangelistic, campus-engaged youth ministry is a strong plus.
- Aligned with our theological convictions.
Grow a Healthy Ministry: Our Student Ministry is on an upward curve with real momentum, and the right leader has the runway and the resources to grow it meaningfully in the seasons ahead.
Take the Gospel to Campus: With students coming from at least nine local schools and strong partnerships like FCA already in place, this role is built for someone energized by being present in the community and reaching students where they are.
Lead With a Long Leash: Peoples Church will give you wide latitude to lead your area, which is a gift for a self-starter. The right person thrives with that freedom and navigates with grace the occasional moments when leadership weighs in on a decision.